 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: michael
Date: 2002-01-29 04:45
[ No eBay links. Please read the rules. - GBK ]
Just wanted to know a little more about Charles Bay Ithaca mouthpieces.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-29 14:57
As with any other mpc. it depends on the particular one and not so much on the brand name. I own a similar Ithica Bay, #0333, that was purchased in 1964. Many of us in music school "back then", were discovering the Bay mpc as "the answer" and putting aside our Stowell-Wells Schneiders, Kaspars, and various other stock mpcs. They played with a "semi-dark" sound and projected with more power than the other mpcs, and were affordable. In 1970, I met Charles (then still in Ithica) at the Mid West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and arranged to have him make me a custom copy of my Chicago Kaspar. This custom mpc I played exclusively for about twenty five years and still carry in my case to this day as a back up when I need the extra power. However, I have recently returned to playing my old Kaspar (I like the sound) which I alternate with a Greg Smith Cicero model depending upon which one plays my reed "of the moment" best. The older Ithica--#0333--plays with a more subdued sound and lacks the "presence" of my other Bay custom. It was made from the a Ched blank, like the one on eBay, and my suspitions are, therefore, it too would play in similar fashion. But again, it depends on the particular mpc and I would certainly want to play-test it before purchasing. IMHO, the bid is already too high (except, perhaps as a "collector" item). I can't afford to collect mpcs that expensive and would much prefer to "collect" some more of Greg Smith mpcs which play much more nicely than that my old Ithica Bay. Good Clarineting, and buyer beware--try before you buy is "the rule."
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-02-16 15:10
I'm doing a mouthpiece spring cleaning and I'm trying to decide whether to keep a Bay "Ithaca" I have, apparently made much later than those discussed on searches I've done on this board. Mine is an "MO-M" with the inscription "C224T" and Mr. Bay's logo on the back. Also, bizarrely, it has the word "EDWARD'S" carved (by machine) into the top of the back of the blank. It's an item I never really got to "know" very well - the tone it produces with my normal reeds (3.5 Gonzalez) is very open, rather projecting (loud even), and feels like it has only one dimension. Kind of boring.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-02-17 00:20
William,
Interesting that you bring up the SWS as I have put aside my Portnoy BP02 and have used my old Stowell for about 3 months. Both MPs seem to project very well and are reed friendly to boot. Pretty big tones that are not dark at all.
Did you own and play a Stowell "back then?" How did it compare to your Kaspar?
HRL
PS I have a backup SWS (same B2 facing) that is not very good so your point about "it depends on the particular one and not so much on the brand name" is right on!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-02-17 15:26
When I was in college (before I learned to reface mouthpieces myself) I was on a Charles Bay kick for a while, trying many of his bass clarinet mouthpieces, and purchasing a couple (as I recall, both were his MO-M facings, that is, medium-open tip with medium length). Although at the time they were the best I could find, I eventually abandoned them as I found their sound to be a bit 'hard' and lacking in warmth (knowing what I know now, I can attribute that to the facing lengths, which were shorter than I prefer). My experience was that the Bays felt good at first, being somewhat more open and seemingly "powerful" --- but after a while I found them difficult to play with a centered sound at lower dynamic levels -- not a good thing when playing with orchestras or even concert bands. That said, his mouthpieces have always been pretty decent and are worth at least a try.
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Author: William
Date: 2005-02-18 14:25
Hank, just noticed your question. My Stowell is a recent aquisition from eBay and is now residing in my "stuff" drawer. Most of my clarineting has been done on my vintage Bay with the Kaspar facing. However, since I joined the BJSO symphony, I hve returned to playing my college era Chicago Kaspar which produces a more focused sound on my Buffet and Leblanc clarinets. Compare the Kaspar to the Stowell?? I would venture to say (tongue in cheek) that using the Stowell mpc is like adding a glass pack muffler to my old '52 Ford girl getting street machine. It simply plays loud, louder and loudest and is capable of stunning small nearby animals. Not exactly the effect our symphony desires for our loyal patrons................
William
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-02-18 15:08
William,
Thanks for the SWS comparison. Since I do symphonic wind ensemble and play jazz gigs, the ability to "stun small nearby animals" as well as compete with the brass/drums are paramount MP requirements.
My Portnoy BP02 and the SWS provide me with excellent tools with which to defend myself!
HRL
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2005-02-18 16:24
Without trying to get to overtly technical...I will also state that the Vandoren B40 13 series works very well and has a huge orchestral style sound without the incredible price of the other facings...and this does include alot of "Vintage" stuff that one finds on eBay etc.
There is also a danger of thinking that because it is older it is better, and I am simply not stuck on such superstion...in fact many older Kaspers were not very good and you really have to ask yourself what are you most comfortable on.
The M30 Vandoren is very good and has a very warm dark sound...so there you have it...
David Dow
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-02-19 02:27
Dave wrote:
"I found their sound to be a bit 'hard' and lacking in warmth ..."
That is precisely what I would have said about my Bay Ithaca. Incredible! A very "cold" hard sound.
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